Meet the expert team
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Scott Takeda
FOUNDER / INSTRUCTOR
Splitting time between LA and Colorado, Scott is a six-time Emmy-winning director and TV/Film actor. He got his on-camera start as a TV reporter in Idaho. He later worked for TV News stations in Ohio, Colorado, and Philadelphia. He now studies with the Groundlings and Lesly Kahn out of LA. Scott teaches our 301 and 401 classes.
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Dodie Montgomery
INSTRUCTOR
From New Mexico, Dodie is a renaissance woman: a visual artist, actor, and director. She received her MFA in acting from the University of Texas and has performed in the US, Poland, Serbia, and China. She also has several network TV credits. In her free time, she brews beer and studies with LA’s Lesly Kahn. Dodie teaches our 101 and 201 classes.
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Haleigh Burckley
INSTRUCTOR
From Atlanta, Haleigh is an actor/model originally from Colorado where she trained in theatre and vocals. When she’s not in front of the camera, you’ll find her working behind the camera on Georgia-shot series and films, playing ukulele, or curling up with her very vocal cat. Haleigh teaches our 101 and 201 classes.
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Juan Mendoza Solis
INSTRUCTOR
From New Mexico and Colorado, Juan is a trilingual (French, Spanish, English) actor with several costars and a studio feature on his resume. He is also an experienced commercial actor so you’ll see him doing everything from driving a car to hanging out at an airport. Juan has studied Meisner, plays the viola and has an identical twin. Juan teaches our 101 and 201 classes.
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Annie Flowers
INSTRUCTOR
From Utah, Annie is a Cum Laude graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University with a degree in Theatre and Biology. She was a five year member of the Synetic Theater in D.C. and an apprentice with NYC’s CRY HAVOC Company. When she’s not on stage or a commercial shoot, you’ll find her backpacking and rock climbing deep in the wilderness. Annie teaches our 101 and 201 classes.
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Dana Millican
INSTRUCTOR
From Oregon, Dana is an accomplished stage and TV/Film actor and a proud member of AEA and SAG-AFTRA. When she’s not gracing feature film sets, a local stage or a red carpet at Sundance, you might find her working on her Warrior II pose in a yoga class, exploring the hilly neighborhoods of Portland or dodging ‘nades and friendly fire in the latest game. Dana teaches our 301 class.
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Lisa Barnes
SUBSTITUTE INSTRUCTOR
From Arizona, Lisa is an experienced commercial and stage actor. She spent years traveling all over the world performing for troops as a NFL cheerleader, including representing her team at the Pro Bowl. She now performs on stage and studies with Ivana Chubbuck and Lesly Kahn out of LA. Lisa substitute teaches our 101 and 201 classes.
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Jeanette G. Junco
STUDENT RELATIONS
From Texas, Jeanette is a multilingual Spanish/Mexican actor born in Mexico City. She grew up on film sets assisting her father who trained animals for TV and film. She’s a Magna Cum Laude graduate of University of Texas-San Antonio and has studied acting in Mexico and Ireland (where she has management).
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Marisa Casteñeda
STUDIO MANAGER
From New Mexico, Marisa helps us keep everything running smoothly in the background. She’s got decades of experience working with students at the University of New Mexico and the Houston Ballet, She’s also a huge sports fan, so if you want to talk baseball or football, she’s your gal.